The July session of Florida State's Jimbo Fisher Football Camp is here. The event gives coaches a chance to work with high schoolers from all over the state and the Southeast. Some are top recruits, others have no chance to ever make the varsity.
Camps are extremely important to recruiting, and FSU is recruiting quite well right now, with 18 commitments. 10 of them are rated four-stars or better at this early juncture, and FSU should take 10 more players (it does have room for even more, if certain things happen).
The June session was somewhat of a disappointment in terms of attendance, but not when it came to commitments, as the Seminoles added six during the session.
This time, an emphasis will be placed on getting South Florida recruits up to camp. FSU has been in transition in South Florida since the loss of James Coley and Eddie Gran. Miami Central, Booker T and University School are all expected to bring prospects.
Tomahawk Nation will have evaluations on every position, as well as interviews with the top stars. At right, you'll find the schedule. We'll update a daily live thread during the practice sessions, and the interviews will follow those sessions as quickly as we can get them up.
Here are some of the stars FSU is expecting. I'm really not too big on pre-camp lists. There are always plenty who don't show, and even more who show unexpectedly. Doing the national gig, I haven't had time to track down every possibility for the camp, and most of these are from recent conversations at The Opening and the IMG National Championships. Josh and Chris at 247 did, however, put together a huge list, including underclassmen, so if that's your thing, head on over there ($). That crew does a good job selling an honest product without the nonsense. It's refreshing. And frankly, I just cannot provide the same level of recruiting minutia that a site employing two full-time recruiting writers can.
For more on most of these recruits, check out the FSU recruiting board. It's (mostly) up to date, and will be further worked on in the weeks following the camp.
Quarterback
2015 FSU commit De'Andre Johnson will be there with the Jacksonville group (McClain, Daub, and the First Coast crew).
Running Back
This will be the position to watch. Leonard Fournette told me at The Opening that he plans to be there. He is the best running back recruit since Adrian Peterson. But, I am skeptical that he will show up. The New Orleans prospect hung at LSU all week. Will Miami commit, and one-time FSU commit Joseph Yearby make it up? If he does, expect fellow Miami (Fla.) Central teammate Dalvin Cook, a UF commitment, to be there as well. Local product Jonathan Vickers told me that he would make it back, and if he does, a commitment would not surprise me, as FSU is looking to take three backs. Minnesota commit Jeff Jones is expected, and is being recruited by former Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster. He's quite good. And Aeris Williams, of Mississippi, is also expected. This will be his second visit to FSU over the summer, which is quite a bit for an out-of-state prospect. And the University School group should be there, which means 2015 5-star Jordan Scarlett.
Wide Receiver
I covered the wide receiver situation recently in a recruiting update. Markell Pack was on campus last week, and firmed up his commitment to the Seminoles. Josh Malone, of Tennessee, is finishing up his multi-day visit with his family. He really likes Georgia and Tennessee, but him being on campus is big.
Why do I bring up two receivers who are not camping? Because the top two receivers expected, Ermon Lane and Travis Rudolph, are South Florida kids, which I always consider a question as to if they'll make it all the way to Tallahassee. Also, FSU seems like a long-shot for both.
Tight End
FSU legacy Garrett Williams, a 2015 prospect, tweeted that he will be there. And Louisiana product Anthony Jones should be back. He'll be at LSU if the Tigers want to take him IMO, but with LSU the odds-on favorite for the No. 1 national class, that's not assured.
Offensive Line
This is the position everyone wants to hear about. FSU already has three commits, and will be looking to take three more.
Offensive tackle Frank Ragnow, of Minnesota, is expected down. FSU is on him hard, and he is a very good player. I met him in Chicago and was impressed. Recent Noles commitment Corey Martinez, of Tampa, should be there. And offensive tackle Jesse Burkett, out of Jacksonville, is coming and could commit. FSU commit Alex Eberle will be there, and it'll be my first time seeing him in person because I missed the D.C. stop on the NFTC tour I was covering this summer.
JUCO Chad Mavety is at Alabama currently, but I expect him to make his way down to FSU at some point this week or next. FSU is on him with a lot of effort, but likely Trails Alabama and Ohio State.
If Damian Prince shows up, I'll let you know. He's hard to miss.
Defensive Line
Chad Thomas, of Miami (Fla.) Booker T. should be there off his breakout performance at The Opening.
Jumbo defensive end Rick Leonard, who is down to FSU and Clemson, will also be there. In fact, he's on his way right now.
Florida state bound #Noles
— Rick Leonard (@RickLeonard83) July 16, 2013
FSU commit Blake McClain will also attend with the Jacksonville group.
Other than that, I am not sure who else to expect. I suspect, but did not confirm, that Darius Smalls, a 2015 DT from Sandalwood will be there. He's a name to keep an eye on if he gets in better shape over the next year.
Linebacker
Superstar FSU commit Kain Daub will be in attendance, as will fellow Jacksonvillian 2015 Sherrod Pittman, of First Coast. FSU commit Jacob Pugh, a local product out of Godby, is expected.
Defensive Back
Recent Noles commit Trey Marshall, of Lake City (Fla.) Columbia will attend. Joining him will be Treoin Harris, of Booker T. Kendarius Webster told me in the security line at the Airport after The Opening that he'd come (FSU is battling Ole Miss, UGA and Auburn for the Atlanta product). 2015 corner Rashard Causey, of University School, should also come. Mike Johnson, who claimed to have committed to FSU (does not have a committable offer) will attempt to change that at the camp. Kendrell McFadden told me that he would be back after attending the June session, but we'll see if that happens for the 2015 prospect.